REVOLUTION_International_Vol 54

IT’S HIP
TO BE SQUARE
Bell & Ross updates its BR 03 with a cool grey façade.
WORDS ADAM CRANIOTES
They say that it isn’t easy to reinvent the wheel, but what about
the square? For Bell & Ross this has been a singular pursuit
since the introduction of the now-iconic BR Instrument series,
which seemingly created the square watch trend overnight.
Fast forward 15 years — yes, the BR 01 was introduced back in
2005 — and what was once considered a novelty is now a mainstay of
Bell & Ross’ collection, with a seemingly infinite variety of sizes, case
materials and complications available. You want yours in carbon fiber?
No problem. You require a tourbillon? Bell & Ross has you covered.
You’re a diving enthusiast? They’ve got an ISO certified version,
replete with a unidirectional timing bezel ready to go.
So, with all these options, where else is there left to go? Air?
Covered, obviously. Sea? Yup. Haute horlogerie? Done. Ah, but what
about a day and night in the city? This, folks, is where the new BR
03-92 GREY LUM comes into its own. As Bell & Ross’ nomenclature
goes, the 03 in the name refers to the smaller-sized Instrument case
— remember, the original BR 01 clocked in at 46mm — but don’t be
fooled as 42mm in a square configuration wears larger than it would
in a round cased watch. That said, if you have the wrist for it, it is
supremely comfortable.
But aside from the relatively wrist-friendly size, just what is it
about the GREY LUM that makes it fit for the urban dweller looking for
a bit of conference-room-to-the-club versatility? In this instance,
it’s the finishing that sets it apart from its stablemates, which up until
now have come in a variety of anti-reflective bead-blasted finishes.
With an alternating satin-brushed and polished case, the GREY LUM
cuts a dashing figure through polite society, and when coupled with the
sunburst grey dial, the overall package is one of urbane sophistication.
This is all well and good during daylight hours spent in boardrooms
and such, but what about after work, when the real deals are being
made in swank, dimly lit watering holes and behind VIP ropes? As it
so happens, this is where the GREY LUM truly shines. As the name
implies, lume — okay, “LUM” in Bell & Ross parlance — is the name of
the game, and as with past pieces in this subset of the BR 03 collection,
the GREY LUM is treated to a healthy dose of C3 Super-LumiNova,
which happens to be one of the brightest, longest-lasting application
that they offer. In fact, in tests it lasts as long as eight hours, so go ahead
and have another martini, you’re covered.
Keeping you on time is the Bell & Ross BR-CAL.302 movement,
which is based on the tried-and-true Sellita SW300, and like all
BR 03s, the GREY LUM is good for 100 meters of water resistance.
Rounding out the package is a grey suede strap that complements the
dial brilliantly, though you can swap it out for a more rugged textile
strap for workplace-bonding weekends at the paintball ranch (tools
are included). The price? An eminently reasonable US$3,400.
Overall, the BR 03-92 GREY LUM is a welcome, and dare we say
it, versatile addition to the Instrument series — subtle when it needs to
be, but not afraid to stand out from the crowd when the mood strikes.
Sounds just like what a Bell & Ross should be.
BELL & ROSS
BR 03-92 GREY LUM
MOVEMENT Self-winding caliber BR-CAL.302; hours,
minutes and seconds; date; 42-hour power reserve
CASE 42mm; satin-polished steel; water-resistant to 100m
STRAP Grey-green calfskin and ultra-resilient black synthetic
fabric, with steel pin buckle
THE MODERNIST 73